More explicitly…

John McCain is running his campaign on his experience and how his experience would benefit him and our nation as President. That experience shows courage and commitment to our country - but it doesn't include executive experience wrestling with national policy or go-to-war decisions.

Truth.

Clark didn’t criticize McCain’s war record or military service at all. Not once. Not even a little.

…which leaves me somewhat disappointed by the Obama response. “No one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides…" intoned the Senator. Fair enough, no one did. This, though, is a thought that needs to be rethunk…

"We must always express our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform. Period. Full stop.”

Actually, from time to time our men and women in uniform do some dreadful things, things for which they deserve no gratitude at all, and there's nothing sillier than the idea that every veteran, by virtue having served in any fashion, deserves the presidency.

Military service is, like education or occupation, a meaningful resume point for a candidate, but that meaning is dependent on the nature of the service, and the simple fact is that McCain's service was notable only for the victimization he suffered at the hands of his North Vietnamese captors. General Clark's central point, that McCain's military resume lacks the kind of command experience that might translate into a degree of preparation for the role of Commander In Chief.

As Benen notes, the heart of the problem with Obama's response is that it "...implicitly accepts the criticism offered by the media and the right — that Clark was attacking McCain’s military service, despite the fact that never actually happened."

We saw something similar in Obama's response to Reverend Wright's National Press Club appearance. While there were doubtless points on which Wright's comments could be challenged, the objections Obama raised were, again, to things that weren't said, that didn't happen.

Hardly my first instance of disappointment with Barack Obama, and almost certainly not my last, but that's why he wasn't my first choice going into the nomination campaign (nor my second choice, for that matter). He is, however, my nominee, and my disappointments hardly rise to the levels of abhorrence inspired by the prospect of a McSame presidency.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Worth repeating.

He denied ever talking with John Kerry about his leaving the GOP to be Kerry’s ‘04 running mate — then later admitted he had, insisting: “Everybody knows that I had a conversation.”

He denied admitting that he didn’t know much about economics, even though he’d said exactly that to the Wall Street Journal. And the Boston Globe. And the Baltimore Sun.

He denied ever having asked for a budget earmark for Arizona, even though he had. On the record.

He denied that he’d ever had a meeting with comely lobbyist Vicki Iseman and her client Lowell Paxon, even though he had. And had admitted it in a legal deposition.

And those are just the outright denials. He’s also repeatedly tried to spin away statements he regretted making (see: 100-year war, Iraq was a war for oil, etc.).

McCain has decided to make Obama's decision to opt out of the public financing system an issue of trust. I don't entirely disagree with the premise, but my conclusion is, unsurprisingly, somewhat different.

Indeed, by creating the opportunity for Americans to invest in a campaign whose success is staked on involving historic numbers of individual contributors, Obama displays a trust in the people that enhances my trust in him. I'm reassured, as well, that he wouldn't dogmatically stick to a position when the facts on the ground shifted in a way that affords this historic opportunity. If he were to accept public financing in the current enviroment, he would betray his trust in us, which is one of the strongest causes for trust in him.

And now...

Saturday, June 28, 2008

I'd say the risk level is about 100%...

The Telegraphhas learned that the former president's rage is still so great that even loyal allies are shocked by his patronising attitude to Mr Obama, and believe that he risks damaging his own reputation by his intransigence.

Question for y'all. Just what is Bill Clinton's reputation these days?

Friday, June 27, 2008

What "success" looks like.

In Iraq, at least forty-one people were killed in separate bombings Thursday. Twenty Iraqis were killed along with three U.S. marines at a tribal council meeting in Anbar province. Another eighteen people were killed and eighty wounded in a car bomb attack in the northern city of Mosul. Thirteen Americans including two civilians have died in Iraq since Monday. Twenty-nine U.S. servicemembers have been killed in June, making it one of the bloodiest periods for the U.S. military in several months. At least fifty Iraqis have died in the same stretch.

Friday Mars blogging.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Obama's got big ones.

"If I haven’t gotten combat troops out of Iraq, passed universal health care and created a new energy policy that speaks to our dependence on foreign oil and deals seriously with global warming, then we’ve missed the boat."

Making a list…

…checking it twice. Mike Lux at Open Left lists the "...the 10 most important races for this cycle outside of the Presidential." The Minnesota Senate seat gets the number one spot, for reasons I find understandable if not thoroughly convincing. Number 2? That's Darcy...

2. Burner/Reichert. An up-from-the-grassroots progressive, linked closely to the netroots movement, taking out a staunch conservative in a classic swing district? Nothing would be sweeter, or a better symbol of progressive resurgence. Of all the House races, this also goes to the top of the list because of Darcy's authorship of the Responsible Plan to End the War. We need to win this one.

Yes, we do. In fact, while the Franken race may rank above WA-8 in terms of visibility and a degree of symbolic value, I'd argue that the Burner/Reichert race is a more significant bellwether. Not only do we need to win this one, but if we don't we're likely to see a lot of other opportunities slipping away across the map.

As for the Senate, I'm still putting Tom Allen's race against That Woman From Maine at the top of my list. Allen/Collins is tied on the Lux list for 4/5 with the Oregon contest.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

From the "By their fruits…" file.

The Republican coalition — composed of the religious right on social issues, the radical tax cutters or “supply-siders” on economic issues, and the neoconservatives on foreign policy — has produced only superficial religiosity, a failed war and record deficits.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

And now...

Movin' on up…

…on the Eastside.

The WaPo's Chris Cillizza moves WA-8 up a couple notches (from 19 to 17) on his list of Congressional seats most likely to change hands. He credits Darcy Burner with being "an improved candidate," but sees a win coming from Presidential coattails...

If Obama wins big in the 8th, he is likely to carry Burner along with him.

Yep, that's likely. I'm not sure those coattails are essential to Democratic victory in the 8th, but they'd certainly be helpful. That's true, I suspect, for seat after seat, in state after state. If Obama wins as big as I think he should, and believe he can, it could change the Congressional map dramatically.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Saturday sheep blogging.

This morning the Brilliant and Beautiful Bride of Upper Left and I journeyed to Fall City Farms, scheduled site of the August wedding of the Elder Daughter of Upper Left and her Perpetually Pleasing Partner. These were our tour guides...

Actually, it's a beautiful spot. Catering presents a couple of challenges, but some real opportunities, as well. And the girls love it, which is what really counts.

It's nice to have a Congressman…

…who cares about my civil liberties.

Rep. James McDermott[D, WA-7] voted 'Nay' on the question: On Passage: H R 6304 FISA Amendments Act of 2008 regarding H.R.6304 To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Heh™.

Good point…

First, terrorists often operate in our country, or in friendly countries, which makes military action against them tricky. McCain (through his campaign blog) assailed Obama for favoring “prosecutors rather than predators.” But, when the terrorists are holed up in New York City, as was the case with the 1993 bombers Obama referred to, simply arresting them strikes me as more efficient than leveling their apartment with a drone-fired missile.

Friday Mars blogging.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

The days of our lives…

Days Since McCain Dared Obama To Eat A Bug: 54Days Since McCain Demanded New Policy Of '5 Do-Overs Per Debate': 12Days Since McCain "Forgot" One Of His Previous Positions: 0.5Days Since McCain Demanded Obama Get Off His Lawn: 3Days Since McCain Mentioned He Was a POW In Vietnam: 0Days Since McCain Mentioned He Doesn't Like To Use His POW Experience As Political Tool: 0Days Since McCain Last Praised Bush Policy Of Refusing POW Status Or Any Other Legal Recourse To Detainees: 1Days Since McCain Toured Iraqi Marketplace With 100+ Troops And Air Support, Declaring It Safe: 445Days Since Last Iraqi Marketplace Bombing Killing More Than 50 People: 2Days Since The Republican Party Had An Original Idea: 3,284

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

From the "Worth remembering" file.

Whenever you hear someone explain that no one has ever been elected President of the United States (without) (except) (until) (etc.), it's worth remembering that hardly anyone has ever been elected President Of the United States. Even fewer of these United States.

Christmastime In WashingtonBlue Eyes Crying In The RainBig Old Goofy WorldAngel From MontgomeryPancho And LeftyHe Went To ParisAin't No SunshineUp On The Roof>Under The BoardwalkBlue Suede Shoes>Matchbox>Roll Over BeethovenRedneck MotherThis Land Is Your Land

Duet, with the irrepressible Smitty on second guitar and voice for most of the first set, trio, with Smitty and Piano Bill for most of the second. Big fun.

Good questions…

Will top Hillary surrogate Lanny Davis be using his perch atop FOX News to sabotage Obama's candidacy? And if so, will Hillary do anything about it?

Hillary has made a full, gracious and, I believe, sincere endorsement of Barack Obama, but that's clearly not enough for all of her followers. Davis is a professional Clintonian, and was one of Hillary's most ardent and most offensive adherents. He's demonstrably willing to throw the Democratic Party under the bus if he thinks it will help advance the Clinton cause. How responsible should she be for his activities going forward? Would a personal directive from the Clintons be enough to curb him?

I don't know, but I think just such a directive should be made, and if Davis' ensuing activities detract from the Democratic ticket, they should denounce him.

Politics?

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Just the facts.

· McCain has repeatedly voted against amendments in the Senate that would have...covered such important services as improving care at veterans’ hospitals, providing mental health services to soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse problems. [2006 Senate Vote #7, 2/2/2006]

· In 2006, McCain voted against the Kerry amendment that would eliminate increased fees and co-payments for veterans in the TRICARE health care program by raising the discretionary spending limit by approximately $10 billion. The provisions would have been fully offset by eliminating creating corporate tax breaks. [2006 Senate Vote #67, 3/16/2006]

· McCain was one of only 13 Republicans to vote against an amendment that added over $400 million for inpatient and outpatient care for veterans. [2006 Senate Vote #98, 4/26/2006]

· McCain joined his Republican Senate cohorts in opposing exempting all military personnel and veterans from means testing in bankruptcy cases. [2005 Senate Vote #13, 3/1/2005]

· McCain opposed an amendment that would reduce from 60 to 55 the age at which certain members of the National Guard and Army reserves could receive retirement benefits. [2004 Senate Vote #136, 6/23/2004]

· Senator McCain opposed $322 million in funding for "battlefield clearance and safety equipment for U.S. troops in Iraq." A reduction in Iraqi reconstruction funds would have funded the additional protection for troops in the battlefield. [2003 Senate Vote #376, 10/2/2003]

· McCain voted against an amendment that would increase spending on the veterans health care program TRICARE by $20.3 billion over 10 years to members of the National Guard and Reserves. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts. [2003 Senate Vote #81, 3/25/2003]

· McCain opposed an amendment that would have increased veterans spending by $13 billion from 1997-2002 to be offset by closing corporate tax preferences and reinstating expired taxes. [1996 Senate Vote #115, 5/16/1996]

Good move.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

The truth about McCain?

“The truth is that, in national security terms, he’s largely untested and untried.”

Thank you, General.

One of the frustrations of this campaign has been the willingness of too many on our side to concede that John McCain has, primarily because of his personal history, some special understanding of national security and military issues. In fact, his military career was remarkable primarily for a lack of success or distinction.

A legacy admit to the Naval Academy, he finished near the last of his class. His time as a Naval aviator ended in catastrophic failure. Most of his remaining career was spent as a Navy lobbyist with their Senate Liaison Office (explaining, perhaps, his apparent affinity for the Gucci Gulch crowd to this day), trading his on his post-imprisonment celebrity in political circles for friendly budget consideration from some who would soon enough be his colleagues.

Nothing about that career suggests special insight into broader issues of military readiness or geo-political conflict. He has never held a combat command, or planned a battle, or coordinated forces. There is nothing in his dated military experience that is any more relevant to serving as the commander in chief of a super power in the 21st century than there is in, say, mine, or millions of other ex-soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have served honorably, sometimes courageously.

OK, then…

I am proud to announce that our presidential campaign will be the first in a generation to deploy and maintain staff in every single state.

The network of volunteers and the infrastructure built up during the historic primary season — on behalf of all the Democratic campaigns — have given us an enormous and unprecedented opportunity in the general election.

Of course, Obama won't win 50 states, but the down-ballot impact of a truly national campaign has huge potential for Democratic hopes for Congress, Governors and legislatures. If that turns out to be the legacy of an extended nominating process Hillary could turn out to be the Democratic MVP after all.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Tuesday night tunes.

It's A Big Old Goofy WorldFront Porch SongJamaica FarewellYounger GenerationThe Mary Ellen CarterLove The One You're With>4+20>Love The One You're WithRacing In The StreetRunaround SueOne Too Many MorningsPack Up Your SorrowsThis Land Is Your Land

Way New® brand sovereignty…

…by BushCo™. You know, the kind where your fate rests on the decisions other countries make for you…like Bush and the Saudis, or this...

Iraqi lawmakers say the United States is demanding 58 bases as part of a proposed ’status of forces’ agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the country indefinitely. Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another U.S. demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq.

Bipartisanship…

…at least in a nostalgic sense, seems to be busting out all over. Diane shares a little Ike love over at Tough Donkey, sending me scrambling for the latest fundraising missive from my own personal Congressman, which leads off with these words worth repeating...

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, and the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross."

Dwight David EisenhowerApril 16, 1953

Remember respecting the office and the man, regardless of party? You must be near as old as I am...

Monday, June 09, 2008

Would you buy a used strategy from this man?

Newt Gingrich, who led the GOP takeover of the House in 1994, is now coaching Republicans on how to recapture the Senate.

You remember, the guy who closed the federal government over a perceived personal slight and lost his speakership when his party started losing seats again in '98. This guy...

Eighty-four ethics charges were filed against Speaker Gingrich during his term, including claiming tax-exempt status for a college course run for political purposes. Following an investigation by the House Ethics Committee, Gingrich was sanctioned for US$300,000 after the House Ethics Committee concluded that inaccurate information supplied to investigators represented "intentional or ... reckless" disregard of House rules.

Bonds, Aaron, Ruth, Mays, Sosa and…

Why we fight.

"...it's the age of blogs, and soon corrections will be issued, I'm sure."

The last four years have been pretty amazing in blogtopia (™ Skippy). So many stories corrected, rumors quashed, issues emphasized, even some battles won. Blogging's not enough, of course. As avenues of activism go, blogging, especially for one-man C-listers like Upper Left (perhaps I flatter myself) is a pretty narcissistic time sink. Still, it's become a legitimate and effective avenue of activism.

But y'all should still join me in hitting the streets for your candidates.

And now...

Saturday, June 07, 2008

With all due respect, Senator McCain...

…on behalf of my buddy Steve, whose primary injury from hand to hand combat at Khe Sahn didn't even have a name when he brought it home, locked in his brain, and the Big Bro' of Upper Left, whose scars cover metal still embedded after forty some years, and all of us who lived on the ground in full view of the daily consequences of our deeds and decisions, you haven't got a clue.

Classy.

On the heels of Senator Clinton's excellent speech today, the Obama camp has set up athank-you pagewhere you can leave a comments of support for her.

I do wonder, though, when some concern will be shown for Obama supporters. Grace in victory is a key to the unity we desire and require. A little humility in defeat equally so. Hillary seems to be doing her best on that score. Hopefully her most ardent supporters will quickly follow suit and credit our nominee with a victory well and honestly earned.

Yep.

At this point, the general election campaign is only going to be five months long. The right obviously has to pick up the pace, squeezing as much stupidity as they can into a limited time frame.

Whether it's fist bumps, church bulletins or phantom films, it's gonna be silly season for awhile. Knowing they can't win on the issues, the Republicans have a well established tradition of just making stuff up, and the press has an equally entrenched habit of lending credence to the Republican tales. Sometimes I think concern trolling is a required course in J schools everywhere.

You're going to hear a lot of "Did you hear…" from your friends in the coming weeks. "It's a lie" will invariably be an accurate, if not always adequate response.

Quote of the day.

"The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion and our strength and do everything we can to help elect Barack Obama the next president."

Thanks, Senator. You made history. Now let's make some more together. We're all better off when we're all on the same side.

Friday, June 06, 2008

Friday Mars blogging.

Progressive?

Check.Gender balance? Check.Regional balance? Check.Against the war from the beginning? Check.Veteran's best friend in the Senate? Check.Respected by colleagues? Check.Beloved by constituents? Check.Appealing to Team Clinton? Check.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Closing the back door…

NEW YORK-- In his first order of business as his party's presumed presidential nominee, Barack Obama is instructing the Democratic National Committee to adopt his policy against accepting donations from federal lobbyists or political action committees.

I'm not sure he has any authority except in a moral sense to "instruct" the DNC, especially before the primary results are ratified by the Convention, but it's a heck of a message to send.

If we really wanted a "change" candidate, it sounds like we're really getting one.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Not just a bunker mentality…

...2 stories below ground in a cinderblock no-frills gym on Manhattan's Lower East Side, there are also NO televisions......Tonight, no TV's, cell phones and blackberries don't work down here...no contact with the outside world.

Front Porch SongNight Rider's LamentWaiting For A TrainWho Do You Love>Mona>Who Do You Love (for Bo)Kansas City>Sweet Home ChicagoThe WandererUnder The Boardwalk>Up On The RoofChristmastime In WashingtonThe Mary Ellen CarterForty-Five YearsWhiskeyChocktaw BingoPie In The Sky (for Utah)Irene Goodnight

From the "Better late…" file.

True enough, if you're talking about a Tuesday in February. For all the complaints about the media tilt toward Obama, most coverage has seemed remarkably indulgent of the persistent Clinton spin that there's been significant doubt about the eventual outcome for some time. Granted, that indulgence has been granted largely for the media's own purposes - there's a big election news hole to fill between disappearing blondes and philandering athletes - but there it's been.

Complaints about misogyny in the coverage aren't unfounded, but when's the last time a primary candidate lost ten consecutive contests and was still lauded as a contender? Coverage is always a mixed bag, but sometimes bad press is just the inevitable result of a bad campaign, and at times the Clinton campaign has proven to be very bad indeed, squandering their opening advantages in cash, networking and recognition, delivering a progressively more muddled message that seems to have come down to "Hillary should win because she should," and possibly sacrificing decades of good will and influence in the Democratic Party by the time she comes to grips with a reality she has stubbornly refused to acknowledge as she's expanded her attack from her opponent to the institutional underpinnings of the Party itself.

Monday, June 02, 2008

The Washington delegation…

…gets a little more representative of the people's will, as expressed in caucus, as DNC member David McDonald has endorsed Obama. That leaves two PLEOs from these parts uncommitted, McDonald's colleagues Sharon Mast and Ed Cote. Should they both join the Obama camp, it would bring the PLEO percentages pretty close to the caucus outcomes. Funny how those things work out sometimes.

Ready for some good news?

Large majorities of Democrats and independents, and even half of Republicans, believe the president of the United States should meet with the leaders of countries that are considered enemies of the United States. Overall, 67% of Americans say this kind of diplomacy is a good idea.